Manufacture of patent leather



Jan. 20, 1931. A. s. HUBBARD MANUFACTURE OF PATENT LEATHER Original Filed July 18, 1923 s Shets-Sheet 1 FIXED NITROGEN RECOVERY APPARATUS APT/7M s. fit/56420 HIS ATTORNEY A. s. HUBBARD MANUFACTURE OF PATENT LEATHER Jan. 20, 1931 Original FiledJuly 18, 1923 -3 She'ets$heet 2 i-us ATTORNEY Jan. 20, 1931 A s. HUBBARD MANUFACTURE OF PATENT LEATHER s Sheets- Sheet 3 Original iled July 18, 1923 Mug IIIIIIIII HIS ATTORNEY or drying of varnished surfaces on pieces of nish preparation in two or more coats, the sucas evidenced by the disappearance of the tack- 2. v ture to the leather undergoing treatment so cessity for the solarizing operation resides in i v nor put to anypractical use until the tacki'ness has been removed. f Solarizin shower offraim' The h is very considerabld since the s'urfacemust be subjected to rubbing with; umice reduce izing repeated. It not thefact that varnished pieces of leather may y pp ns Patented Jan. 20, .1931

UNITED- STATES" PATENT?" OFFICE ARTHUR s; HUBBARD, or QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS, AssIGNon, BY HESNE AssmN- MEN'rs' To run TURNER TANNING mAcnINEnY column, or PEABODY, uAssA- enusmcrs, A CORPORATION or MAI E m NurAc'i unn or rA'rEN'rLEA'rHnn 7 Application inea July18 ,1928, Serial No. 652,259. ReneWedHayB, 192s.

ited. Again, the amount and intensity of sunlight, reaching the earths surface varies from day to day throughout the year and, further, solar radiation in the ultra-violet re- This invention relates to the making of varmsh coats on articles of manufacture and 1s herein described with reference to the curing leather. a gion isfound to vary at the earths surface in In the manufacture of patent leather, acaccordance with elevation and with varying cording to methods heretofore-practiced, preatmospheric conditions as determined, for instance, by atmospheric Since ultra-violet radiation is a most important agent in the curing or drying operations on varnished surfaces, it follows that there is the greatest difficulty in securing uniformity in the desired. results because of the described daily variation in he effectivenessof the curing or drying agent.

Accordingly, it is tion to provide for the curing varnished surfaces by artificial may be controlled to secure uniform results, independently of weather conditions, and in a fraction of pared pieces of leather are-coated with a va'rceeding coat in each case being applied after the preceding coat has been properly dried, usually by baking in an oven at 125 F. Even though the baking of the last or finish coat is continued for a periodsof fourteen hours or more at a temperature of approximately 140 F., the coat remains relatively soft and tacky. To cure or dry this tacky surface the pieces of leather' are exposed out in the open to the direct 'rays of the sun for periods varying from seven to ten hours in accordancewith the prevailing atmospheric conditions. At the end of this time the surface is dried or cured,

or dry1 of the time heretofore consumed in the'solarizing of patent leather. To this end, iness. Preferably a grassy plot is used for this solarizing operation both to minimize dust i s in the siiperadjacent air and to furnish moiscured by subjecting I them .to treatment by ultra-v'iOlet radiation from an artificial source.

that it does not ,become'desiccated. The ne-.

' treatment at, close range 'by a bank or battery of fused quartz mercury arc lamps. In subjecting varnished su faces to ultra-violet radiation at close range, there is secured the neither be stored in contact with each other in the open air requires that. he leather-while stretchedon frames should be carried outinto open places and then returned under cover-at the end of a solarizing period or at any time that threatening-weather.conditions arise. It occasionth' t leather exposed an open of in hours as heretoforein connection with solarlzmg, operations. In .."pract1ce it has i for solarizing is damaged by a sudden nishcd surface at -a loss 2in such an accident inchesfrom E lamps" p e in which, case-five to the'thicknessof the coat a or which a fresh he surface; coat must be applied andthe baking and solar, S Q a the 3 9i t ea m n m y e i f flfl happens varied by changmgthe spac ng of the work in the event of long continued rainy weather I Yvlth respect/t0 a p p that operations in the manufacturing ofpatg m y be Varl d from VW o fourteen ent leather must be discontinued, parti :ularincheswlth excellent results and the distance 1y if the storage space'withinthe p ant-is limmay even be reduced to two inches when very great 'advantage of definite. results in periods of time measured in minutes instead 7 .beenfo'und advantageous'to arrange the vardistance ofabout eight sevenminutesf treatment is suflicient'to produce the desired curing .ior drying of the It'will'be readily underr dust and humidity.

an object of this am.

means -w "ch t and in accordance with im portant characteristlcs of the invention, curv or drying of varnished surfaces 1s se-' F This is accomplished in the illustrated apparatus by exposing the varnished surfaces to and that this spacother factors are properly adjusted, as will be hereinafter described.

In an arrangement wherein pieces of leather are subjected to radiation from lamps at close range, it is particularly important that there should be relative movement of. the lamps and of the varnished surfaces to secure greater uniformityof radiation over all parts of the varnished surfaces. Accordingly, conveyor means is provided, in the illustrated constructionfor moving pieces of varnished leather past the bank of lamps and in close proximity thereto subject the varnished surfaces in a more nearly uniform -manner to ultra-violet radiation for from five to twenty-five minutes, according to the treating chamber or enclosure to prevent burnmg of the leather .and to secure atmos pheric moisture adequate to prevent undue desiccation ofv the leather, thus simulating the conditions of solarizing in the open field.

It is an important feature of this invention that means. is provided for conditioning the air both as to temperature and moisture content and introducing the air thus conditioned pably with the judgment of the operator. This into the treating chamber or enclosure to circulate therethrough. In the construction shown the means ust referred to comprises a chamber Within which the air may be suit-.

humidified and heated in accordance air-conditioning chamber is located closely adjacent to the treating chamber so as to facllitate introduction of the conditioned air -into the treating chamber without its suffering any change or modification of temperature or humidity. Conveniently, the

treating chamber or enclosure is provided with an exit opening at a distance away from the inlet opening through which the conditioned air is introduced. As shown, means "comprising a blower is interposed between the treating chamber and the air-conditioning chamber to cause transfer of the condi-' tioned air from one chamber to the other and to cause a constant circulation of the conditioned air through the latter chamber. In order that .the air within the .treating chamber or enclosure may be suddenly changed if conditions should unexpectedly arise which cannot be met by the normal' operation of the air-conditioning means, means'is provided for drawing outside air,

that is, air of the prevailing temperature and humidity, into the treating'chamber by the same blower which. ordinarily discharges only conditioned air into the treating chamber.

During the treatment of the varnished hides for the drying of the varnish, nitro gen in the. treating chamber or enclosure is caused to.combine with other elements such as oxygen and as a part of myapparatus I use, when desired, a fixed nitrogen recovery apparatus. I blow a continuous stream of fresh or conditioned 'air through the chamber or enclosure and carry the exhaust air from the chamber, and when desired into apparatus for the recovery of the fixed nitrogen.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically an arrangement of a varnish treating chamber or enclosurein connection with an air humidifier and conditioner and with a nltrogen recovery apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a section taken at 22 in Fig. 3

and shows in elevation a schematic arrangement' of quartz lamps in the treating chamher or enclosure;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a schematic arrangement of the treating chamber;

Fig. 4 is an end View of parts of the treating chamber or enclosure showing details of the-hide holding frame and frame carrying means; and

Fig. 5 is an elevational View of a section of the" inside of the treating chamber or enclosure showing details of a hide holding frame and frame carrying means.

As shown 1n the drawings there is provided a treatlng chamber or enclosure 1 along the middle of which is arranged a bank of fused quartz mercury arc lamps 2 which, as shown in Fig. 2, are spaced from each other a distance not greater than twice themajor dimension of the lamps and which, in order to promote uniform distribution of the light therefrom, are arranged in.a staggered formatidn. The bank of lamps extends substantiallythe whole length of the chamber 1.

During the curing or drying of the var-' nished surfaces the hides 4 are stretched on frames -3 inthe manner shown in Fig. 5. These frames 3 are carried by the endless 'chain conveyors 5 along in a plane in close proximity to the lamp bank. It will be understood that the hides are exposed at close range to the lamps, that is. at distances between five and fourteen inches therefrom as conditions may determine. There are two of these conveyors 5, ,one on either side of the lamp bank as shown in Fig. 3. Figs. 4 and 5 "Show the form of these conveyors and their relation with respect to the lamp bank. The guide rails 7 and 9 serve to space the frames and hides a short distance from, i; e., closely juxtaposed to, the lamp supports and the guide rails 6 and 8 serve to keep the frames in place as they pass along with the conveyor from sagging under the weight of theframes.

The rolls 10. also serve to 'On the conveyor chain are the drawing), the

, nections are made to the leads leads '15 and guide the frames. links 17 ,isuitably spaced, having engaging nubs 18 for imparting)forward movement to the frame.

' n the uprights12 are hung'the' able shelves 13 on each of which'is supported a fused quartz ,mercuryarc lamp 2 (as shown in the first vertical row of lamps in Fig. 2 of standards 14 supporting and spacing the lamps from the shelves. The frame uprights 12 and the shelves 13 serve to shield the lamps 2 from air currents such as might unduly affect the operating characteristics of the lamps. Suitable electrical conlamps.

In one form of the apparatus of my invention I mount terminals 15a for the 16 on the shelves 13 and provide on the uprights 12 receiving terminals therefor (not shown) which are engaged thereby or disengaged therefrom on the 'plac-. ing of the shelf on its support or upon removingJit therefrom, respectively.

uring treatment of the varnished hides,

a blower-20 operates to blow, through the chamber 1, air which has inan air conditioner 19 provided with an electrical heating device 21 controlled by a manually operable switch 23 so that the air may be heated in accordance with the judgment of the operator. In this same chamber 19 the air may be humidified to the desired extent by a well-known (not shown). If conditions in the treating chamber or enclosure 1 shouldat any time require a sudden and humidity of the air therein, a valve 24 be opened so that air of the drawn in from the outside to modify immediately the conditioned air within the chamber 1. -When pipe'26 is open, thechamber 19 may be partially or wholly closed off by operation of'a valve 27. Conveniently a blower is provided at 30 to assist in transferring the air I from chamber 1 to a nitrogen-fixation cham f humidifier,

ber 28, the air subsequently passing out o chamber '28throu'gh a suitable outlet (not shown). The pipe leading to blower 30 may be shut off-and asecond pipe 32, without-a blower, may be utilized as the connection between chambers 1 and '28. x r

The operation of'the apparatusof my invention is as follows: Hide's i are stretched in frames 3 and varnish applied thereto.

After -the varnish vehicle or solvent has'been evaporated, as by heating in an oven, the

frames are placed in the slidewayswhich are on each side of 'the lamp bank where they are carried along the lamp bank by the conveyor chain-5. During the.ex%osure the .lamps'are suitably. energized all there is blown,

v ditioner 19 (see Fig.

removand 16 of the considerable distance away been conditioned.

form of humidifier change in the temperature 1 hides, aconveyor and slideways in close proximity thereto, frames and hides are carried past said lamps,

supports,

to said lamp'bank, slideways through the chamber by means of the blower 20, air which has been'conditioned in conuence of the ultra-violetlight for from nature of the varnish and the condition and nature of the air in the chamber 1. At these speeds, in my apparatus and by my method, the varnish of the hides or other articles, removed 'fromthe chamber at the end of the given time, is dry and the hides or other articles are ready for shipment or use.

V During the drying of the varnish ,by the ultra-violet radiation of the fused quartz mercury vapor arc lamps, a appreciable amount of nitrogen is fixed. he exhaust air from chamber 1 is led through suitable apparatus 28 for recoverlng this fixed nitrogen from the air .(see'Fig. 1) ,to save it for use in the arts generally.

Heretofore varnish treating has-been accom lished with the light source'mounted a from the varnished surface. It seems to me that reactions have thus been setup in ,the light field between the surface and the source which cut down the efliciency of the process and apparatus. By the use of my'new process and apparatus it will be observed that the varnished surface is brought within'the area of all the rays emitted by the light source and preferably in close proximity thereto with the result that maximum drying and fixing efiicienciesare obtained, and any deleterious reactions which take place in the apparatus;

of necessity, take place in the chamber at a point remote from the varnished surface.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a varnish dryin apparatus,-in combinatiomabank of fuse quartz mercury arc lamps, frames carrying varnished fabrics or for said frames along each side of said lamp bank and an enclosure for said lamp bank. slideways,

whereby said.

1). The conveyor chain 5 isactuated 'ata speed to carry the hides through the chamber and to expose them to the in five-to twenty-five minutes according to theconveyors and frames, an air conditioner and means,for circulating air from the conditioner and humidifierthrough the "enclosure, the enclosure being. provided with an exhaust vent, andelectric supply mains for said mercury arc'lamps.

2. In apparatus for drying varnished fabrics or hides, in combination, a row of upright removable shelves mounted on' said supports in vertically and horizontally staggered relation, fused quartz mercury arc lamps mounted on .saidshelve's, electric supply leads for said lamps, hide or fabric stretching frames, conveyors lamp bank carried thereby inclo'se proximity or said frames,

for said frames, one on each side of. said row of uprights and I so and an enclosure for the above said apparatus, an air conditioning chamber connected to said enclosure, means for propelling air from said chamber to said enclosure, said enclosure being provided withan exhaust vent,

or fabrics which comprises subjecting the varnished surfaces to ultra-violet light of the intensity at which it is given off by fused quartz mercury arc lamps at a distance of between five and fourteen inches, for from five to twenty-five minutes, and circulating conditioned air about the varnished surfaces.

5. The method of treating varnished fab rics or hides which comprises subjecting the varnished surfaces to ultra-violet light ofthe intensity at which it is given off by fused quartz mercury arc lamps at a distance. of between five and fourteen inches, and maintaining the treatment for from five to twentyfive minutes.

6. In apparatus for treating varnished fab- .rics and hides, in combination, means for supporting the material to be treated, a'vapor arc lamp serving as the source of ultra-violet light, means for supporting the lamp, and means comprising the means for shielding the lamp from air currents, said shielding means being located at point-s other than points of passa e of light from the lamp to the material to he treated.

7. .In apparatus for treating varnished fabrics and hides, in combination, avapor 'arc lamp serving as the source of ultra-violet light, means for supporting the lamp, and means for shielding the lamp from air currents, said shielding means beinglocated at opposite sides of the lamp at points other than points of passage of light from the lamp to the material to betreated.

8. In apparatus for treating fabrics and.

hides, in combination, a vapor arc lamp serving asthe source of ultra-violet light, means forpassing a current of air about the arti-' clesto be treated, and means for shielding the lamp from said current of air.

9. That improvement in methods of treating varnished surfaces of articles of manufacture which comprises the step of exposing the varnished surfaces at a distance not greater than fourteen inches to radiation'of wave leiigths in the ultra-violet region.

. 10. That improvement in'methods of treatlamp-suppo'rting ing varnished surfaces of articles of manufacture which comprises the step of exposing the varnished surfaces at a distance of approximately five inches from the source of radiation of wave lengths in the ultra-violet 12. That improvement in methods of treatv ing varnished surfaces of articles of manufacture which comprises subjecting the varnished surfaces of the articles to treatment by a bank of lamps uniformly spaced with re spect to each other and serving as a source of ultra-violet radiation, and, during treatment by radiation, moving the varnished articles continuously past the bank of lamps at a uniform distance therefrom and at a predetermined speed to secure uniformity in the treatment of the varnished surfaces.

13. That improvement in methods of treat ing varnished surfaces of articles of manufacture which comprises subjecting the varnished surfaces of the articles to treatment by a bank of lamps arranged in a plane in uniformly spaced relation with respect to each other, the lamps serving as a source of ultra-- violet radiation, and, during treatment by radiation, moving the varnished articles continuously past the bankof lamps in a path parallel to the plane thereof and at a predetermined speed to secure uniformity 1n the treatment of the varnished surfaces.

14. That improvement in methods of treating varnished surfaces of articles of manu facture which comprises subjecting the varnished surfaces of thearticles'to'treatment by a bank of lamps serving as a source of ultra-violet radiation at close range, approximately five inches from the bank of lamps,

and, during treatment by ultra-violet radiation, moving the varnishedarticles past the bank of lamps at a predetermined speed to secure uniformity i1 1 the treatment of the varnished surfaces.

nished surfaces of the articles to ultra-violet radiation from a bank of lamps at a uniform distance therefromand, during treatment by radiation, moving the varnished articles past the bank of lamps at .a predetermined speed in approximately five minutes. 16. That improvement in methods of treatmgvarnished surfaces of articles of manufacture which-comprises subjecting the var= nished surfaces of the articles to ultra-violet radiation from a bank of lampsat a. uniform distance of approximately five inches and,

15. That improvement in methods of treat- U I .during the treatment, moving the varnished articles past the bank of lamps at'a predetermined speed in approximately five minutes. Signed at Hoboken, in the county'of Hud son and State of New Jersey, this 17th day of J uly, A. D.. 1923.

ARTHUR S.- HUBBARD. 

